Tunakaimanu Fielakepa, Tongan Laureate, is a recipient of the prestigious international Prince Claus Award 2020 for her lifelong contribution to the ongoing vitality of women's textile arts, an integral part of Tongan culture.

The 2020 Laureates were announced this morning [Tonga time] in The Netherlands by HRH Prince Constantijn, the honorary chair of the board of the Prince Claus Fund, in an online ceremony [2] filmed at the Grand Hall of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.

The laureates were unable to attend the awards ceremony in person due to current restrictions, and this year it was done digitally on 2 December 2020.

The Prince Claus Awards honour outstanding achievements in the field of culture and development. The awards are presented annually to individuals, groups and organisations whose cultural actions have a positive impact on the development of their societies. They highlight significant contributions in regions where resources or opportunities for cultural expression, creative production and preservation of cultural heritage are limited.

“Tunakaimanu Fielakepa is honoured for her immense contribution to the ongoing vitality of the women’s textile arts, demonstrating that koloa is a living cultural form and an integral part of Tongan culture,” stated the 2020 Prince Claus Awards Committee.

“I'm proud to be Tongan,” Tunakaimanu said.

Recognised as an expert in koloa, she said, “It means to me it's part of my life, I will always be wearing a ta'ovala. It's something that's deep in us, that is part of our culture. We feel it, because it is wrapping around our body. That is something that brings us value.”

Pacific cultures

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to New Zealand and Tonga applauded the honour. “It is a privilege to congratulate Tunakaimanu Fielakepa as recipient of the Prince Claus Award 2020 for upholding Tonga’s rich traditional culture, for stimulating better understanding of Pacific cultures, and for her work for the Tongan community, especially women,” stated HE Ambassador Mira Woldberg.

An international jury of experts in diverse cultural disciplines assesses each nomination and selects the laureates from around the world.

Tongan Laureate, Tunakaimanu (the Dowager Lady Fielakepa) is recognised as the foremost knowledge holder of koloa and for her sharing of traditional knowledge and commitment to excellence.

“Born in 1936, Tunakaimanu Fielakepa forges links among generations within Tonga, as well as connecting with the global arena. She is regularly consulted upon by international museum, academic, and heritage institutions who seek her unparalleled expertise, while she is also renowned within Tonga and across the Pacific for her social leadership in championing the contemporary vitality of women’s artistic practice together with the Langafonua Centre in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.”

The jury found that she has increased the knowledge of koloa through research and documentation and ensured the preservation of this unique cultural heritage for future generations.

“She is commended for her commitment to excellence, emphasising the use of traditional materials and techniques to convey the deep meanings and symbolic values of koloa’s rich aesthetic lineage, for highlighting women’s significance in society as the creators of koloa, as well as encouraging and supporting women’s groups and networks and for strengthening Tongans’ cultural identity by sharing her knowledge of indigenous values with young generations through her role as a teacher.”

HRH Prince Constantijn said the awards were a highlight of his year: “This year’s laureates show us (again) that there is no minimum or maximum age for creativity, no group or culture or nation that holds a monopoly on inspiration. Everywhere there are artists and cultural practitioners whose positive work locally forms the thread that stitches their societies together.”